Customer Reviews

Marbletown

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Blue Highway hit the ground running about ten years ago, and "Marbletown" is reason for Bluegrass fans to rejoice. Guitarist Tim Stafford is a terrific singer and songwriter, as well as ridiculously gifted flatpicker and rhythm guitarist. Mr. Stafford filled that role with Alison Krauss before departing that band to help form Blue Highway, and he helped Alison choose successor Dan Tyminski in Union Station. Shawn Lane plays fiddle, mandolin and guitar that is hot and tasty. He also writes great tunes and lends his angelic tenor voice to Blue Highway's electrifying performances. Rob Ickes is IBMA Dobro Player of the year for about a zillion years in a row. His lead playing is exciting and fresh, and his backup lines are tasty and "just right". Jason Burleson is the banjo-master in Blue Highway, and his playing could be mistaken for the best of Scruggs, Crowe, etc. Mr. Burleson is also a wickedly good mandolinist, guitarist, etc. Wayne Taylor anchors the band with rock-solid bass playing and the most consistently pleasing lead voice in the band. Wayne sings like he's BEEN there, not like he just heard about it, and his pitch and delivery is as smooth as a belt of mountain moonshine.

Marbletown continues Blue Highway's previous efforts in recording predominantly original songs - 10 of the 12 tunes here were written by band members. The opening "Marbletown" also continues the Blue Highway theme of chronicling the often hazardous lifestyle around coal mining communities - Marbletown refers to a tombstone studded graveyard. The song shifts through several themes with haunting lyrics and instrumentation with a recurrent coda: "We've got a man down here, we've got a man down..." "Lazarus" is a crackling good gospel quartet number that includes fluorishes like harmonized humming during an instrumental break. "Nothing But a Whippoorwill" is another stunner - maybe the strongest tune of the collection - and adding another great entry to the cannon of songs about quarrelling and murdering lovers. "Tears Fell On Missouri" is a song of sad misery that would perhaps be maudlin if not for the plaintive vocals of Shawn Lane's tenor and Highway's trademark harmony and chord progressions.

A short digression: Although all of Blue Highway's members are born and bred Bluegrassers - overflowing with the canon of Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs and Stanley - they bring this music to another level. The harmonies are layered and beautiful. The instrumental work is thrilling and interesting. The arrangements don't just plod along.

There are only a handful of Bluegrass Bands that deserve to be mentioned in the same phrase as "Blue Highway". Gentlemen - you have done well. Again.

I can't improve on Mark Fowler's review, only add my hearty "AMEN." It seemed necessary to include my opinion to counter the ridiculous 2-star review of this CD. My favorites on this disc are too numerous to list, they're ALL SO GOOD. These guys are impeccable instrumentalists and vocalists with some of the most soul stirring harmonies one could ever hope to hear. But it's not just sterile, flawless technique. The music has heart. Their songwriting continues to be inspired. It's about time Blue Highway got more of the attention that they deserve.

let me tell you, this is some hot bluegrass. these guys find ways to be creative with the classic licks and encompass modern songs into the bluegrass style. there are few bands that i know i'm always going to get a cd with innovation and drive. blue highway is one of them.

This is a really unique and strong album, really breaks through to a new level on some songs, especially title cut. However i don't give it a "5 star" rating because some of the songs seem to me like filler material...

The spirit is that of Bluegrass, as is the execution. The voices blend and the skill of the instrumentalists considerable. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Tim Stafford and the guys have done it this time. I've been around blue/newgrass for 30 some odd years and play guitar and banjo myself. I was familiar with this band but never paid too close attention until the Dallas radio station where I worked started putting this cd into rotation. I ordered it to get a closer listen. Now I can't get the songs out of my head!!

Incredible writing, great harmonies and great resophonic guitar here! Get it, it's good...

I have liked almost everything I have heard from BH and the playing on this one is still excellent. But way too much of this is just not bluegrass, its radio friendly country. Very commercial. Tears Fell on Missouri for example sounds like a standard breakup/heartbreak song from Clint Black or Garth Brooks - not bluegrass. I found myself listening for the great playing and wishing the singer would just shut up. If they were singing some good bluegrass, I wouldn't have that problem. The one instrumental is good, but I wish they would have given alot more room for some hot playing instead of the smooth dull singing. Some people have rated this high and like this one, but not me - I sold mine. Listen to the samples. If you like those, it would be a fairly safe bet you would like the cd. If not, try almost any other BH release.

No one is a bigger fan of BH than me.I have all of their Cd's and have enjoyed all of them until now.The songs of this CD are unispiring and rather dull.For myself I hear nothing that sounds like a melody that is anywhere near the classic mix of traditional and comtempary sound that has made them a great band.The songs seem to be aimed at the Union Station crowd.I gave up on Alison Krause a few CD ago and if BH continues on this path I'll be looking elsewhere.